In conjunction with the Brennan Center for Justice, this COGEL Connect program is open and FREE TO THE PUBLIC. To secure your spot, please sign in before completing your registration.
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4/21/2026
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When:
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Tuesday, April 21, 2026
3:00 - 4:00 pm EDT | 12:00 - 1:00 pm PDT
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Where:
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Zoom
United States
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Contact:
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aellison@cogel.org
(916) 329-1890
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« Go to Upcoming Event List
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Confronting Threats and Political Interference in Election Administration
In conjunction with the Brennan Center for Justice, this COGEL Connect program is free and open to the public.
State and local election officials are on the front lines of democracy and increasingly under pressure.
This COGEL Connect session brings election administrators and policy experts together for a practical, solutions orient dialogue about threats to election workers, and what can be done, in the evolving landscape leading into 2026 and beyond.
Drawing on recent survey findings from the Brennan Center for Justice, the discussion will explore the growing concerns of election officials nationwide. A majority report unease over potential federal cuts to election security
services, including support from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, while also emphasizing the urgent need for increased state and local resources to meet rising operational and security demands.
This session
will move beyond the data to focus on practical strategies, real world experiences, and actionable ideas to support and safeguard election workers and the overall process. Attendees will gain insight into how jurisdictions are navigating
these challenges and what steps can be taken to address security, political debates about access and integrity, and public trust in the electoral process.
Panelists & Moderator
Jason Kaune (Moderator)
Partner, Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni
Jason leads political law at a law firm focusing entirely on political, election and government law and advises the regulated community on its interactions with government, public officials and government agencies. In his volunteer
role at the ABA, and in other positions, Jason has sought to foster bipartisan consensus and best practices among election administrators and practitioners.
Peg Perl
Chief Deputy Clerk and Recorder, Jefferson Couty Colorado
Peg Perl is a seasoned expert in democracy law, policy, and election administration, currently serving as Chief Deputy Clerk & Recorder for Jefferson County Colorado, where they oversee election operations for more than 580,000 residents.
Previously, Peg served as Deputy Director of Elections in Arapahoe County Colorado and as Senior Counsel at Colorado Ethics Watch, focusing on election law, open government and campaign finance. She has also worked internationally
as an Elections Expert & Observer with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and has taught legal courses in institutions including University of Denver and Georgetown University. Peg holds a B.A. From Arizona
State University and a J.D. from Georgetown University.
Angie Pitha
Project Lead, Center for Election Innovation & Research, Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN)
Angie Pitha serves as Project Lead for EOLDN, where she advances efforts to provide legal protection for election officials nationwide and leads initiatives to connect them to pro bono attorneys. Her work engages a broad audience, including
election administrators, legal professionals, nonprofit partners, media and the public. Angie brings over 20 years of experience in legal marketing, business development, and election operations. She holds a B.A. from Emory university
and J.D. from Vermont Law and Graduate School and is an active member of the District of Columbia Bar.
Lisa Marra
State Election Director, Arizona Secretary of State
Lisa Marra serves as the State Election Director for the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, where she helps lead statewide election administration efforts. She joined the executive team as Deputy State Election Director in 2023, following
more than a decade of service as Cochise County’s Director of Elections. With Extensive experience in election administration, Lisa previously served three terms as President of the Election Officials in Arizona, representing all 15
county election directors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business, a Certified Public Manger (CPM) certification from Arizona State University, and the prestigious Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) designation
from Auburn University. She also serves on the advisory board for the Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN).
Ruby Edlin
Advocacy Campaign Strategist, Elections and Government Program, Brennan Center for Justice
Ruby Edlin is an advocacy campaign strategist in the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice where she focuses on election security and combating disinformation. Prior to joining the Brennan Center, she worked
as an organizer in two congressional campaigns. Edlin graduated from Middlebury College with a BA in gender, sexuality, and feminist studies and political science.
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